Isamu Kanoa

Name: Isamu Kanoa

Age: 32

Bounty: No Bounty

Species: Human

Occupation: Cook

Allegiance: Pirate

Home Village/Ocean: East

Appearance:

History: Born to peasants, Isamu was on a path to delinquency. At the age of eight, he was rescued from his thuggish behavior by an old man. This fellow was once a great samurai, but his advanced age weakened his reflexes- still, the old man was talented in ways of the blade. He took in Isamu as a student, and for years his dojo became Isamu’s home.
Ten years later, Isamu’s sword skills had grown impressively- but so did his pride. He challenged his elderly master to a duel, but his master only agreed to fight him with one condition; they both were to use real swords. When the two battled, it was apparent Isamu was faster and stronger than his opponent, but he lacked the refined skill the elderly man possessed. The duel lasted several minutes and ended with a vicious stroke. Wounded and dishonored, Isamu fled from his master in shame.
When his wounds had healed, Isamu went out searching for a job. A shameless samurai without a trade, he was willing to take any work he could get. His particular set of talents attracted the attention of a black market merchant; a reasonable man wouldn’t have taken such a risky job, but Isamu was willing to do any job, including private security.
Isamu guarded every one of his new master’s caravans against any form of attack. Typically, there were no complications with the movement of product. But one day was different. A small horde of bandit swarmed a caravan, and Isamu drew his blade. A few slashes later, the raiders were either dead or fleeing.
A marine patrol intercepted the fleeing bandits and questioned them; from there, a captain launched an investigation on the caravan Isamu was guarding. An illegal arms shipment was discovered, and soon the same captain was planning on apprehending the smuggler. The marines found Isamu’s copy of the sales charter, and knew where he and his master would be next. A squad of gunmen surrounded them and a warning shot fired; it was supposed to miss, but the bullet struck Isamu in the back of shoulder. He reacted with a swathing blow and his attacker fell dead. The rest of the squad drew their arms on him and he surrendered.
A week later, Isamu was faced with a choice. He was sitting inside a gaol cell when the gaoler approached him. He was informed of the crime he had been charged and found guilty of- manslaughter. Still, he was given a bit of lenience; instead of going to a prison for the rest of his life he could renounce the way of the samurai and give up his swords. Isamu did not want to abandon his path, but he preferred dishonor to life in prison. Shamefully he hung his head that night, once again without a master or a cause.
For days, Isamu wandered the streets without money or food. The life of a beggar was not fit for him, yet he had no choice. Sitting outside a restaurant and pleading for scraps was not the way of a samurai, but Isamu had to remind himself he was a samurai no longer. The dishonor hurt as badly as starving, still, Isamu knew he had to move on.
After a month as a vagabond, Isamu applied for a job at a restaurant. When the head chef saw his knife skills he hired him. At the point of employment, Isamu was solely an assistant, but within four years time and plenty of training, he became the sous chef. His life was peaceful now and he was happy living it, but soon ghosts from his past would come to haunt him.
To most the kitchen staff, a robbery was a nightmare; to Isamu, a robbery was a minor inconvenience. As the masked gunman entered the kitchen, he reflexively reached for one of the chef knives. The robber aimed at Isamu, but he tossed his knife quicker than the gunman could pull the trigger. The knife dug deep into the burglar’s chest, and soon the man bled out onto the floor. Isamu grabbed a mop.
The head chef was ecstatic when he learned that his sous chef single-handedly halted the robbery. In the halls of that restaurant, Isamu was a hero. As a present for stopping the thief, the head chef rewarded Isamu with a special set of knives. Isamu graciously accepted the reward and returned to the kitchen.
As the lunch service continued, a familiar old man entered the kitchen. Isamu recognized him as his old teacher; the swords-master congratulated his student on an act of heroism. As the two conversed, Isamu learned his master was quite fond of his cooking. Even so, the old master urged his pupil to return to the life of a samurai. Isamu explained his predicament and refused his master’s call, but the old man would not be deterred. In his bones, Isamu wanted to return to the path of a swordsman, but he knew he couldn’t. His master’s constant badgering made it very difficult to live an ordinary life. Daily, the old man told Isamu if he ever asked for a blade, he would have it. After months of dealing with his master, Isamu needed a break.
Isamu fled to the mountains to meditate, with hopes of solving his conflict. He did not know what to do; continue the satisfying life as a chef and potentially inherit the restaurant or return to the glorious swordsman’s way. Both options were attractive to Isamu, and meditation helped not at all. Perhaps, Isamu thought, climbing to the top of the highest mountain would give him an epiphany. Nobly, Isamu ventured. But the elevation and a lack of food weakened him. Eventually, he succumbed to the cold of the mountain.
Isamu awoke inside a temple. He guessed an order of monks rescued him, and he guessed right. One of them asked him of his pilgrimage, and he explained his plight. The order gave him food and wine, and assisted him in his voyage to the mountain peak. When he reached the highest point on the island, Isamu was disappointed. No epiphany came, no resolution to his conflict. He returned to the temple and meditated for days, and days, and days. The monks watched him in his silent struggle. Eventually, one came to his aid. As the two discussed, Isamu realized he didn’t need either path. The third option was the best; Isamu became an adventurer.

Personality:

Ship: NA

Ship Flag: NA

Devil Fruit: NA

Special Abilities: Nitoryu user, incredible (still human) level strength, athletic speed

Learned Techniques

Three Inch Chop: With the flick of his blade, Isamu releases a dangerous, burning slash. The secret destructive power of this ability is an invisible air blade sent forth from his knife, extending three inches.

Flame Whip: Popping off the cork from his jug of cooking wine, Isamu simultaneously draws his blade and thrusts his wine jug. With a quick backward jerk, Isamu flings his cooking wine out from it's container. Finally, he slashes the flying puddle of wine with his blade, igniting it.

Mark: Isamu splashes his opponent with cooking wine, setting them up for a burning strike.

Shot: In one movement, Isamu draws and launches a knife at his opponent; if they have previously been marked, the opponent is ignited when the knife hits.

Fire-breath: Isamu takes a swig of wine in his mouth, and holds his blade in front of his lips. Then, he spits the wine out towards the blade; the heat from the knife transforms the wine into a puff of fire.

Weapons/Items: Isamu's Tools

Goals: